Important Links

Overview

Welcome to Biology 235: Human Anatomy and Physiology, a six-credit, university-level course that covers all major elements of the human body, including basic anatomy, fundamental organic chemistry, cellular structure and function, and the integration, organization, and control of all the body systems. While completing this course, you will acquire an understanding of normal anatomy and physiology, of physiological adaptations to special conditions, and of some of the physiological factors in disease processes.

Outline

Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Human Body

Chapter 2: The Chemical Level of Organization

Chapter 3: The Cellular Level of Organization

Chapter 4: The Tissue Level of Organization

Chapter 5: The Integumentary System

Chapter 6: The Skeletal System: Bone Tissue

Chapter 7: The Skeletal System: The Axial Skeleton

Chapter 8: The Skeletal System: The Appendicular Skeleton

Chapter 9: Joints

Chapter 10: Muscular Tissue

Chapter 11: The Muscular System

Chapter 12: Nervous Tissue

Chapter 13: The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves

Chapter 14: The Brain and Cranial Nerves

Chapter 15: The Autonomic Nervous System

Chapter 16: Sensory, Motor, and Integrative Systems

Chapter 17: The Special Senses

Chapter 18: The Endocrine System

Chapter 19: The Cardiovascular System: The Blood

Chapter 20: The Cardiovascular System: The Heart

Chapter 21: The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels and Hemodynamics

Chapter 22: The Lymphatic System and Immunity

Chapter 23: The Respiratory System

Chapter 24: The Digestive System

Chapter 25: Metabolism and Nutrition

Chapter 26: The Urinary System

Chapter 27: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis

Chapter 28: The Reproductive Systems

Chapter 29: Development and Inheritance

Evaluation

Your final grade in Biology 235: Human Anatomy and Physiology is based on the grades you achieve in three quizzes, three written assignments, and three exams. The Study Schedule in the Course Information suggests when you should complete each quiz and assignment, and when you should write the exams. The passing grade for this course is “D” (50 percent).

In order to complete the course, you also must achieve a minimum passing grade of fifty percent (50%) on each quiz, each assignment and each exam (see below). If you obtain less than the required passing grade on any quiz or assignment you may take another version of the quiz or assignment delivered by your assigned Academic Expert at your request. This applies only to the quizzes and assignments for which you did not receive a minimum passing grade; you may not take an alternative quiz or assignment in an attempt to increase your grades.

The table below shows the mark distribution for the assessment tools in this course. You may wish to use it to keep a record of your performance in Biology 235.

Mechanism

Possible Marks

Proportion of Final Grade

Minimum Pass Grade

Quiz 1

60

3%

50%

Quiz 2

60

3%

50%

Quiz 3

120

6%

50%

Assignment 1

100

5%

50%

Assignment 2

100

5%

50%

Assignment 3

100

5%

50%

Midterm Exam 1

60

20%

50%

Midterm Exam 2

60

20%

50%

Final Exam

120

33%

50%

Total

100%

50%

The exams for this course must be taken online with an AU approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators that can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

A print version of the eText can sometimes be purchased from the publisher through a direct-to-student link provided on the course website; you can also acquire the textbook on your own if you wish.

Other Resources

All other learning resources will be available online.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the BIOL 235 challenge registration, you must achieve a minimum passing grade of on each part of the examination which represents a minimum of 70 marks for Part 1, and a minimum of 20 marks for Part 2.

The Challenge Exam grade should be minimum 50%, and will result from the addition of total correct marks archived for Part 1 (maximum 140) and for Part 2 (maximum 40). The final mark will be calculated as a grade out of 100 (e.g. 180 marks = 100%).

Course materials and the textbook cannot be provided by Athabasca University. The two parts of the exam must be written on the same day.